Topline
Nine FBI agents sued the Justice Department on Tuesday to stop the agency from identifying them and other agents who investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, arguing the president’s request for the agents’ names is “unlawful and retaliatory.”
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Key Facts
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., seeks to block Trump’s order for the DOJ to “review and purge” FBI personnel involved in the two investigations, with agents fearful the publication of the names could threaten their reputations, future employment opportunities and wellbeing.
The lawsuit alleged a list of those who worked on the cases that was recently turned over to the DOJ will be used to terminate personnel “as a form of politically motivated retribution,” noting Trump’s public vows to seek retribution against those who he believes have targeted him or are disloyal to him.
The agents said they “legitimately fear” the information will be accessed by unauthorized persons or people who lack the security clearance to handle the information, citing reports that tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk recently attempted to access sensitive government databases “without regard to security protocols.”
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Crucial Quote
Chris Mattei, an attorney for the FBI agents, called the DOJ’s plan to release the names an “appalling attack” on civil servants and warned of the harassment they and their families would suffer, and said the measure is “a prelude to an unlawful purge of the FBI solely driven by the Trump Administration's vengeful and political motivations.”
Who Has The List Of Fbi Agents Who Investigated Trump And Jan. 6?
The FBI turned over the names of 5,000 employees who worked on Jan. 6 cases to the Justice Department on Tuesday afternoon, according to CNN, citing unnamed people familiar with the situation. It remains unclear if the litigation stops the names from being seen or disseminated by DOJ officials.
How Has Trump Handled The Jan. 6 Riot?
In addition to firing or targeting officials who investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Trump pardoned the vast majority of people convicted in the riot and ordered charges be dropped against defendants still in litigation over their alleged offenses on that day. Over 1,500 people were charged or convicted of offenses ranging from trespassing and assault of a police officer to theft and conspiracy.
Key Background
The lawsuit was filed amid a push by the Trump administration to target agencies and personnel that have investigated the president and are considered to be not aligned with his priorities. Trump fired more than a dozen inspectors general across several government agencies last month, despite a law requiring him to give lawmakers 30 days’ notice, sparking concern over the legalities of the firings and whether Trump was acting within the bounds of his powers. Trump’s Justice Department also fired over a dozen officials who worked on his criminal investigations. The president was the subject of four separate criminal cases in the election, including two federal cases for trying to reverse his 2020 election loss and for retaining classified documents, along with state cases in Georgia and New York. The former three cases never reached trials, while the New York case resulted in Trump being convicted on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, but no penalties or punishments.
Further Reading
What To Know About Trump’s USAID Changes—After Elon Musk’s DOGE Accesses Classified Info (Forbes)
Unions Sue To Stop Elon Musk’s DOGE From Accessing Treasury Department Data (Forbes)
